Dynamic clustering of network nodes for mobile communications

ABSTRACT

Provided are systems and methods for segmenting and grouping a plurality of network nodes into one or more clusters. Content may be delivered from a transmitting user node to a receiving user node based on which cluster the receiving user node resides. The grouping of the clusters may be dynamically updated in real-time based on user activity data. Such user activity data may be collected from both a transmitting user node (e.g., server) and a receiving user node (e.g., user device) to map the delivery of a relevant communication. Advantageously, a transmitting user may deliver content to other relevant users and a receiving user may receive content from other relevant users.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/847,368, filed Dec. 19, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/436,343, filed Dec. 19, 2016, each ofwhich applications is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A computer network may facilitate the exchange and/or delivery of datapackets, or communications, between multiple client nodes. Often, thesame communications may be broadcast to all nodes. However, this maycreate unnecessary traffic over the network and an overload ofinformation for the recipient users. Further, the transmitting user mayfind it difficult to track the broadcasted communication with eachrecipient user. This problem has intensified with the increasing use ofmobile devices that allows for the timeless and remote transmission,receipt, and access of data by users. In order to facilitate moreefficient communication between users, a more sophisticated approachtowards the generation and distribution of communications may berequired.

SUMMARY

Recognized herein is the need to deliver highly customized, relevant,mobile communications to select user nodes in a computer network.Systems and methods described herein provide transmitting users with anonline/mobile platform configured to deliver dynamically segmentedcommunications to recipient users and track relevant user performancemetrics of such communications.

In an aspect, provided is a method for delivering content to a givencluster of receiving nodes in a computer network, comprising: receiving,over the computer network, a first set of user data from a transmittingnode associated with a transmitting user, the first set of user datacomprising user activity data of each of a plurality of users withrespect to the transmitting user; receiving, over the computer network,a second set of user data from each node associated with each of theplurality of users, the second set of user data comprising user activitydata of each of the plurality of users stored by each node; segmenting aplurality of receiving nodes, in the computer network, into a pluralityof clusters of nodes based at least in part on the first set of userdata and the second set of user data, wherein the plurality of receivingnodes comprises the each node associated with each of the plurality ofusers; receiving, over the computer network, a communication contentfrom the transmitting node, wherein the communication content isassociated with a rule data, wherein the rule data comprises one or moreidentifiers for one or more clusters of receiving nodes; mapping, basedon the one or more identifiers in the rule data, the communicationcontent to the one or more clusters of receiving nodes; and delivering,over the computer network, the communication content to a plurality ofreceiving nodes belonging to the one or more clusters.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises dynamically updatingthe plurality of clusters of nodes upon receiving an update of the firstset of user data, an update of the second set of user data, or both. Insome embodiments, the plurality of clusters of nodes are dynamicallyupdated in real-time.

In some embodiments, a first receiving node of the plurality ofreceiving nodes is segmented into at least two different clusters ofnodes in the plurality of clusters of nodes.

In some embodiments, the user activity data in the first set of userdata comprises one or more of a user identifier, user contactinformation, geographic distance from the transmitting user, userrelationship duration with the transmitting user, and frequency of userinteraction with the transmitting user.

In some embodiments, the user activity data in the second set of userdata comprises a user identifier, user contact information, userdemographic information, and user account history.

In some embodiments, the rule data further comprises geographic regionsof eligibility, age restrictions, or both for the communication content.

In some embodiments, the segmenting comprises matching the first set ofuser data and the second set of user data.

In some embodiments, a given receiving node is grouped to a givencluster of nodes based at least in part on one or more of (i) ageographic location, (ii) user relationship duration with thetransmitting user, (iii) frequency of user interaction with thetransmitting user, (iv) demographic, (v) user behavioral information,and (vi) user psychographic information, of a given receiving userassociated with the given receiving node.

In some embodiments, the communication content is activatable by theplurality of receiving nodes.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises tracking an activationof the communication content by the plurality of receiving nodes andstoring the activation activity in the first set of user data, thesecond set of user data, or both.

In another aspect, provided is a computer system for delivering contentto a given cluster of receiving nodes in a computer network, comprising:a network adaptor in communication with the computer network, whereinthe network is in communication with a plurality of nodes including atransmitting node and a plurality of receiving nodes; one or moredatabases comprising a first set of user data received from thetransmitting node, a second set of user data received from each of theplurality of receiving nodes, a communication content associated with arule data, wherein the first set of user data comprises user activitydata of each of a plurality of users associated with each of theplurality of receiving nodes, respectively, with respect to atransmitting user associated with the transmitting node, wherein thesecond set of user data comprises user activity data of the each of theplurality of users stored at each of the plurality of receiving nodes,respectively, and wherein the rule data comprises one or moreidentifiers for one or more clusters of receiving nodes; and one or moreprocessors, individually or collectively, configured to: segment theplurality of receiving nodes, in the computer network, into a pluralityof clusters of nodes based at least in part on the first set of userdata and the second set of user data; and use the network adaptor to mapand deliver the communication content to each receiving node belongingto the one or more clusters of receiving nodes.

In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configuredto dynamically update the plurality of clusters of nodes upon receivingan update of the first set of user data from the transmitting node, anupdate of the second set of user data from one of the plurality ofreceiving nodes, or both. In some embodiments, the one or moreprocessers are further configured to dynamically update the plurality ofclusters of nodes in real-time.

In some embodiments, the user activity data in the first set of userdata comprises one or more of a user identifier, user contactinformation, geographic distance from the transmitting user, userrelationship duration with the transmitting user, and frequency of userinteraction with the transmitting user.

In some embodiments, the user activity data in the second set of userdata comprises a user identifier, user contact information, userdemographic information, and user account history.

In some embodiments, the rule data further comprises geographic regionsof eligibility, age restrictions, or both for the communication content.

In some embodiments, the one or more processers are configured to matchthe first set of user data and the second set of user data to segmentthe plurality of receiving nodes into the plurality of clusters ofnodes.

In some embodiments, the one or more processers are configured tosegment the plurality of receiving nodes based at least in part on oneor more of (i) a geographic location, (ii) user relationship durationwith the transmitting user, (iii) frequency of user interaction with thetransmitting user, (iv) demographic, (v) user behavioral information,and (vi) user psychographic information, of a given receiving userassociated with a given receiving node of the plurality of receivingnodes.

In some embodiments, the communication content is activatable by theeach receiving node.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of thepresent disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, thepresent disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, andits several details are capable of modifications in various obviousrespects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.To the extent publications and patents or patent applicationsincorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in thespecification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or takeprecedence over any such contradictory material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings (also “figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a network of nodes in communication wherein a targetnode delivers content to a plurality of other nodes in the network;

FIG. 2 illustrates a network of nodes in communication whereinnode-to-node data with respect to a target node is collected by adynamic segmentation system;

FIG. 3 illustrates a network of nodes in communication wherein a dynamicsegmentation system delivers content from a target node to a pluralityof other nodes based on dynamic clustering of nodes in the network;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a dynamic segmentation system;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for generating and providingdynamically segmented communications; and

FIG. 6 shows a computer control system that is programmed or otherwiseconfigured to implement methods provided herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and describedherein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that suchembodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations,changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the invention. It should be understood that variousalternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may beemployed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide numerous advantages overtraditional methods of communication. First, traditional communicationscontent may be distributed offline or in a web-browsing environmentwhere all users are anonymous. Thus, individuals are able to access thesame available content, and transmitting users are left without fullcontrol of which user views or reacts to their communication. Thedisclosed embodiments, however, may provide transmitting users withsystems and methods for a segmented, tiered approach to the distributionof communications based on, for example, the receiving users'relationship with the transmitting user. For example, the relationshipmay be indicative of geographic affinity, relative degrees of loyalty,length of relationship, and the like between the transmitting user andthe respective receiving user. Each individual can be presented with adifferent communication via, for example, one's mobile device. Acommunication may be presented in a mobile application installed on amobile device, and users may be required to log in to the mobileapplication to receive, view or activate a communication.

Second, the disclosed embodiments may provide approaches for deliveringsegmented communications based on the likelihood of each user segment toreact to particular communications content. Embodiments disclosed hereinmay provide tracking, reporting, and other data analytics to accuratelymeasure the efficacy of any data delivery project.

Third, provided are systems and methods to deliver highly customized,relevant communications content. By leveraging sophisticated dataaggregation methods and algorithms, disclosed embodiments can beconfigured to show different content, for example, one version ofcreative content to receiving users with pre-existing or longerrelationships with the transmitting user and another version to newreceiving users or receiving users that have been out of communicationwith the transmitting user for a certain duration.

Dynamic Clustering of Network Nodes for Mobile Communication

FIG. 1 illustrates a network of nodes in communication, wherein a targetnode delivers content to a plurality of other nodes in the network. Acomputer network 150 may comprise a plurality of nodes 102-118. Theplurality of nodes may be in communication with each other via thenetwork 150. A node may be, or be associated with, a user device. Forexample, the node may be a phone (e.g., smartphone), handheld device,desktop computer, laptop computer, netbook, electronic tablet or similardevice, networking device, personal digital assistant, wearable device,head mounted computer or display, server, processor, microprocessor,microcontroller, or any other device, component, module, subsystem orsystem capable of processing electronic data, or any combinationthereof. The node may be a mobile device (e.g., mobile phone). A usermay control, operate, and/or otherwise be associated with a node. Forexample, user may be an individual, an entity, a plurality ofindividuals, or a plurality of entities. The user may transmit, receive,access, provide commands, and/or otherwise interact with content (e.g.,data) via the node.

The node may be a device capable of communicating with a network. Forexample, the node may comprise a network adaptor configured tocommunicatively couple the node and the network 150 or the node and anyother device (e.g., other nodes). For example, the network adaptor mayallow wired (e.g., via cables) or wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc.) between a first nodeand a second node. A node may be capable of transmitting content to thenetwork 150 or to another node, receiving content form the network 150or from another node, or both, collectively referred to herein as“communicating.” For example, a transmitting node 102 may transmitcontent 120 to node 106, node 108, node 110, node 112, node 114, node116, node 118, or any combination thereof via the network 150. Thecontent may be any form of data, such as, for example, a communication(e.g., electronic mail, notification, offer, alert, alarm, etc.)comprising text (e.g., string), images, audio, and/or video. In anotherexample, the content may be user activity data (e.g., browser history,user actions in response to a communication, etc.) that is collected,for example, from a user device. The content, in some cases, uponreceipt by a receiving node (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116,118, or any combination thereof) may be viewable on a graphical userinterface (GUI). The content may be capable of being processed by thereceiving node. The transmitting node 102 may broadcast content 120 tothe network 150 of nodes, such that each receiving node receives thesame content 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a network of nodes in communication, whereinnode-to-node data with respect to a target node is collected by adynamic segmentation system. A computer network 250 may comprise aplurality of nodes 202-218. In some instances, the computer network 250may correspond to the computer network 150, and the plurality of nodes202-218 may correspond to the plurality of nodes 102-118, respectively,in FIG. 1.

The computer network 250 may be communicatively coupled to a dynamicsegmentation system 270. The dynamic segmentation system may compriseone or more processors and memory, operatively coupled to the one ormore processors, comprising instructions to dynamically segment contentand/or user base, in accordance with systems and methods describedelsewhere herein. For example, the dynamic segmentation system may beprogrammed to group one or more nodes into a cluster, and form one ormore clusters of nodes to facilitate efficient content delivery over thecomputer network 250. The dynamic segmentation system may be configuredto collect node-to-node data with respect to a target node. For example,node-to-node data 222 between target node 202 and node 204, node-to-nodedata 224 between target node 202 and node 206, node-to-node data 226between target node 202 and node 208, node-to-node data 228 betweentarget node 202 and node 210, node-to-node data 230 between target node202 and node 212, node-to-node data 232 between target node 202 and node214, node-to-node data 234 between target node 202 and node 216, andnode-to-node data 236 between target node 202 and node 218. Node-to-nodedata between a target node and a first node may comprise any data thatthe target node has collected and/or stored with respect to the firstnode. In some instances, such data may comprise user activity data (ofthe first node), user relationship management data (between a user ofthe first node and a user of the target node), or other user data (e.g.,geographic location, demographic, etc.) of the first node. While FIG. 2illustrates only node-to-node data with respect to target node 202 beingcollected by the dynamic segmentation system, the dynamic segmentationsystem may collect node-to-node data with respect to any number oftarget nodes. Any node may be a target node. In some instances, thetarget node may be a transmitting node. The transmitting node may be acontent generating node.

FIG. 3 illustrates a network of nodes in communication, wherein adynamic segmentation system delivers content from a target node to aplurality of other nodes based on dynamic clustering of nodes in thenetwork. A computer network 350 may comprise a plurality of nodes302-318. The computer network 350 may be communicatively coupled to adynamic segmentation system 370. In some instances, the computer network350 may correspond to the computer network 250, the plurality of nodes302-318 may correspond to the plurality of nodes 202-218, respectively,and the dynamic segmentation system 370 may correspond to the dynamicsegmentation system 270 in FIG. 2.

The dynamic segmentation system 370 may group the plurality of nodes302-318 into different clusters 342, 344, 346, based at least in part onprocessing (380) of the node-to-node data with respect to target node302 collected by the dynamic segmentation system 370. Further detail onsuch processing (380) is described elsewhere herein, such as withrespect to FIGS. 4-5. The clusters may or may not overlap. For example,a first cluster 342 may group together nodes 304, 306, 308, 310, asecond cluster 344 may group together nodes 312, 314, 316, and a thirdcluster 346 may group together nodes 316, 318. The second cluster 344and the third cluster 346 may overlap on node 316. The clusters may beformed based on one or more factors, such as geographic location withrespect to the target node (e.g., within 5 miles, within 10 miles,within same state, within same country, etc.) or duration of userrelationship (e.g., no pre-existing relationship, within 1 yearrelationship duration, at least 1 year relationship duration, within 3years relationship duration, at least 3 years relationship duration),frequency of user interactions between the target node and a node, typesof user interactions (e.g., prior communication, prior e-mail exchange,activation of a communication from the target node by a receiving node,etc.), and the like. The clusters (e.g., 342, 344, 346) may dynamicallychange (e.g., constituents may dynamically change for a cluster) basedon updating node-to-node data, as described elsewhere herein.

The dynamic segmentation system 370 may facilitate delivery of contentfrom target node 302 to different nodes based on the clusters that thedifferent nodes are grouped to. For example, of a first content that thetarget node 302 can transmit to the different nodes, the dynamicsegmentation system may transmit a first sub-part of the first contentto each of the nodes (e.g., 304, 306, 308, 310) in the first cluster342, a second sub-part of the first content to each of the nodes (e.g.,312, 314, 316) in the second cluster 344, and a third sub-part of thefirst content to each of the nodes (e.g., 316, 318) in the third cluster346. The first sub-part, second sub-part, and/or third sub-part may ormay not overlap in content. The first sub-part, second sub-part, and/orthird sub-part may or may not add up to the entirety of the firstcontent. While three clusters are described, there may be any number ofclusters. While three sub-parts of a content from a target node isdescribed, there may be any number of sub-parts of a content. In someinstances, a cluster of nodes may not receive any part of the content.In some instances, a node, such as an overlapping node (e.g., node 316),may receive a plurality of sub-parts of the first content. The dynamicsegmentation system 370 may deliver content from the target node 302 tothe receiving nodes (e.g., 304-318) via the network 350 or external tothe network 350, such as via wired or wireless connections.

While each of FIGS. 1-3 illustrates only one network (e.g., 150, 250,350) communicating with the plurality of nodes, there may be any numberof networks that, individually or collectively, facilitate connectionbetween the plurality of nodes and/or the dynamic segmentation system.While each of FIGS. 1-3 illustrates nine nodes in communication with therespective network, there may be any number of nodes in communicationwith each other. For example, there may be at least about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 1,000, 10,000, 100,000, 1,000,000,10,000,0000 or more nodes in communication via one or more networks.Alternatively, there may be at most about 10,000,0000, 1,000,000,100,000, 10,000, 1,000, 100, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2,or less nodes in communication via one or more networks. In someinstances, any node may be in communication with any other node directlyor indirectly external to a network. Such direct or indirectcommunication may be wired (e.g., via cables) or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc.).

Beneficially, the dynamic segmentation system may reduce unnecessarytraffic of content delivery over the network and filter the overload ofinformation received by the recipient users by tailoring the deliveredcontent to be relevant for the recipient users.

Dynamic Segmentation System

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a dynamic segmentation system 400.In some instances, the dynamic segmentation system 400, or anyelement(s) thereof (e.g., dynamic segmentation platform 410) maycorrespond to the dynamic segmentation system 270 or 370 in FIG. 2 or 3,respectively. The dynamic segmentation system 400 may comprise user datasource 405 (entities 401-403 and other data sources 404), dynamicsegmentation platform 410, user device 440, and other user data source445.

User data source 405 may comprise data from one or more entities (e.g.,Nike®, Gap®, etc.)—entity A 4401, entity B 402, entity C 403—and otherthird-party data sources 404, which may include third-party dataaggregators or warehouses. Entities A-C (401-403) and third-party datasources 404 may represent one or more nodes (e.g., computer devices,servers, or databases). Each entity may be a content transmitting node.While only three units—Entity A, Entity B, and Entity C—are shown, eachunit may represent a plurality of distinct entities. Servers ordatabases for user data source 405 may be located on-premises at eachentity site, and the software for collecting and/or organizing user datamay be installed or reside on the entity's or the third-party's ownservers and/or databases. Alternatively, servers or databases for userdata source 405 may be located externally (i.e., cloud-based) andoff-site, and data and the software for collecting the data may bestored or installed on an external, remote network. In otherembodiments, servers or databases for user data source 405 may be acombination or a mix of both on-premises and cloud-based solutions. Userdata for an entity may correspond to node-to-node data for a targetnode, as described elsewhere herein. For example, such user data maycomprise data of users that may or may not have had prior interactionswith the entity. In some instances, the users may be customers,potential customers, partners, potential partners, and the like, of theentity. While described as ‘entities,’ the entities may be any otheruser that generates and/or transmits communication content to otherusers.

Segment data module 411 may be communicatively coupled to user datasource 405, and may be configured to obtain or receive user data. Theobtained user data may then be transmitted to be stored in the segmentdatabase 412. Alternatively, user data source 405 may be communicativelycoupled to the segment database 412, and the segment database may beconfigured to request transmittal of segment data to be stored in thesegment database 412.

User data may include any data an entity can collect from a user, whichmay include, for example, user relationship management (URM) data anduser activity data, or other user data (e.g., geographic location,demographic, etc.) of the first node. URM data generally refers tocompiled user information across different channels (or points ofcontact between the user and the entity), which may include the entity'swebsite, telephone, live chat, direct mail, published materials andsocial media. URM data may include, but is not limited to, emailaddress, phone number, other contact information, user ID, duration ofuser relationship with the entity (e.g., no pre-existing relationship,within 1 year relationship duration, at least 1 year relationshipduration, within 3 years relationship duration, at least 3 yearsrelationship duration), user account history (e.g., activation history,communication history, transaction history, etc.), frequency of userinteractions (e.g., communication frequency, purchase frequency,activation frequency, etc.), geographic location with respect to theentity (e.g., within 5 miles, within 10 miles, within same state, withinsame country, etc.), types of user interactions (e.g., priorcommunication, prior e-mail exchange, activation of a communication fromthe entity by the user, etc.), and the like.

Users may be categorized into a segment or a plurality of segments (orclusters, used interchangeably herein). Segments may be based on one ormore differentiators that divide users into groups. Information such asusers' demographics (age, race, religion, gender, family size,ethnicity, income, education level), geography, behavioral tendencies,account history, any other URM data may serve as bases or variables fordetermining user segmentation.

Segment database 412 may store segment data. The segment database may becommunicatively coupled to segment data module 411. The segment datamodule may be configured to obtain and process user data—which may beobtained from user data source 405—into segment data. Segment data maycomprise, for example, 1) a segment or segments to which a user has beenassigned to, and 2) an identifier for the user (e.g., hash of a user'semail). Segments may be based on geographic segmentation (based oncountry, region, population density, city size, etc.), demographicsegmentation (based on age, gender, occupation, social class, maritalstatus, income, etc.), psychographic segmentation (based on values andlifestyle), behavioral segmentation (based on user account history,purchase history, benefit-sought, user status, usage rate/transactionfrequency, loyalty status, readiness, attitude to product or service,etc.), generational or cultural segmentation. Identifiers for the usermay include, but is not limited to, a hash of the user's email address,hashed phone number or other contact information of the user, registeredID (e.g., loyalty ID), tokens in the cookies, and other groupidentifiers (e.g., IDFA, AAID, Unique Device Identifier (UDID), and thelike. Segment data module 411 may be configured to normalize the segmentdata to be stored in the segment database 412.

Segment data module 411 may be part of a dynamic segmentation platform410. The dynamic segmentation platform may be configured to locallyprocess the user and user data into segment data, which may beaggregated and stored in the segment database 412. In some embodiments,segment data module 411 may be located or installed remotely at the userdata source 405. In other embodiments, segment data module may beoperated by a third-party. Alternatively, if user data source 405 storessegment data or is able to generate segment data, the segment datamodule 411 may not be necessary for the dynamic segmentation platform ormay only be used, for example, for data normalization and the like. Theuser data source may directly transfer segment data to the dynamicsegmentation platform, and the segment data may be directly stored inthe segment database 412.

User data, or segment data associated with users, may be transmittedfrom user data source 405 to dynamic segmentation platform 410, via adata pull or a data push, over one or more types of communicationchannels (e.g., wired or wireless network). In some embodiments, thedata transfer may be via one or more types of application programminginterfaces (APIs) provided by the dynamic segmentation platform or oneor more internet protocols for transmitting files between computers(e.g., file transfer protocol (FTP), SSH file transfer protocol (SFTP),or any variants thereof). The APIs may be a web service (e.g., RESTfulAPIs, etc.) or defined as a set of hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)request messages, along with a definition of the structure of responsemessages, which may or may not be in an Extensible Markup Language (XML)or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format.

Dynamic segmentation platform 410 may comprise segment database 412,rule database 414, user database 416, content database 418, dynamicsegmentation engine 420, control module 425, and administration userinterface 430.

Control module 425 may be communicatively coupled to segment database412, rule database 414, user database 416, content database 418, dynamicsegmentation engine 420, and administration user interface 430. Ruledatabase 414 may store rule data, which may include, for example,regions of eligibility for a communication content, age restrictions,and segments eligible for a communication content. The control modulemay be configured to store one or more content data and rule data basedon inputs from the administration user interface. Content data and ruledata may be generated or inputted manually via the administration userinterface or may be automatically generated or provided based on thegoal of a project (if configured), which may be specified by theadministration user interface 430. The project may be a campaign toachieve one or more goals or objectives.

Content database 418 may store content data. Content data may include atleast one of the following: content provider identity, content andproduct description, activation parameters such as the content amount,content expiration date, content volume, and activation rate. In someinstances, the content data may comprise communications content. In someinstances, the content data may be activated via user action (e.g.,viewing of a target product, purchase of a target product) or other userresponse, such as for redemption of a credit. In some embodiments,content database may also store or keep track of historical or projectedvalues on relevant content parameters or variables. Examples of suchdata may include, but are not limited to, data on historical, current,or projected values on: content activation rate, content volume, numberof content activations, profit per content impression, profit margin,trends in contents made available by an content provider, number ofcontent impressions, impact of the content on sales of a product, numberof content redemptions, number of products sold, content yield, impactof an content on other contents, impact of an content on user behavior,savings value of a digital content, the click-through rate of a digitalcontent, and other relevant data on contents and content activation. Inother embodiments, the aforementioned data may be stored in otherdatabases or modules, including the dynamic segmentation engine 420 orthe control module 425. Alternatively, the dynamic segmentation platform410 may be configured to provide data analytics on information relatedto all contents and their activation, which may be accessible via theadministration user interface 430. The administration user interface maybe configured to provide adjustable parameters or variables to generate,calculate, or derive one or more of the aforementioned content orproject related data.

User database 416 may be communicatively coupled to user device 440,other user data source 445, and dynamic segmentation engine 420. Theuser database may be configured to store user data, which may beobtained or received from the user device or other data sources. Userdata may include, but is not limited to, user name, user identifier,email, contact information, demographic information, shoppingpreferences, and previous transaction information. For example, suchuser data is differentiated from the user data collected by the entities(e.g., 401-403) in that they are collected without entity input.

User device 440 may be a mobile device (e.g., smartphone), handhelddevice, desktop computer, laptop computer, netbook, electronic tablet orsimilar device, networking device, personal digital assistant, wearabledevice, head mounted computer or display, or any other device,component, module, subsystem or system capable of processing electronicdata, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the user devicemay be a smartphone with a mobile application installed, and the mobileapplication may be configured to download and display content. The userdevice may be configured to be communicatively coupled to the dynamicsegmentation platform 410 via the mobile application. The mobileapplication may be configured to provide a user interface for the userto view one or more communications content on their mobile device. Theuser may also select/view/redeem/activate/search one or morecommunications content from a plurality of communications contents viathe user interface provided by the mobile application. The mobileapplication may require or request the user to log in to theapplication—via validation of login credentials—in order toreceive/download communications contents. By logging in to the platformvia the mobile application, the user may be provided with individualizedand customized, relevant communications content based at least in parton prior user activity data (e.g., purchase history or transactionpattern). Therefore, the mobile application may enable a logged-inexperience for users, while providing the dynamic segmentation platformwith information or data essential for generating and deliveringcustomized and individualized communications content. The mobileapplication may also be configured to transmit data related to the user,including information related to the user device (e.g., device ID).Other user data source 445 may include other devices or systems that maycollect information on the user or the user environment.

Administration user interface 430 may be communicatively coupled to acontrol module 425, and may be configured to provide an interface forreceiving commands or data for the dynamic segmentation platform 410.The administration user interface may also be configured to generate,receive, or display information related to communications content data,user data, segment data, rule data, performance measures, or any otherinformation related to the distribution and activation of communicationscontent. Content data, rule data, segment data, user data, projectgoals, and other content-related parameters or settings may becontrolled, configured, or accessed via the administration userinterface. In some embodiments, the administration user interface is agraphical user interface (GUI). In other embodiments, the administrationuser interface is a command line interface.

Dynamic segmentation engine 420 may be communicatively coupled tosegment database 412, rule database 414, user database 416, contentdatabase 418, control module 425, and user device 440. The dynamicsegmentation engine may be configured to apply one or more algorithms todata stored in segment database 412, rule database 414, user database416, content database 418, in order to determine whether a specificcontent should be presented to a specific user device 440 or the userassociated with the user device. In some embodiments, contents for eachsegment are selected according to the rule data, and the dynamicsegmentation engine may be configured to present the users with contentsaccording to their associated segments, based on the segment data. Thedynamic segmentation engine may comprise one or more processors andmemory, operatively coupled to the one or more processors, to performthe systems and methods described herein.

In other embodiments, dynamic segmentation platform 410 may beconfigured to use one or more algorithms—based on the goals or one ormore objectives of a project (e.g., communications delivery project)—togenerate or obtain an optimal combination or mix of contents and rules,for each user segment (or cluster). Project goals may be determined orspecified by the entity or other entities interested in providingtailored contents to users that may or may not have pre-existingrelationships with the entity or the other entities (e.g., current orpotential customers). Examples of project goals may include, but are notlimited to the following: acquire “N” number of new user relationships;acquire “N” number of new user relationships in a particular demographic(age, gender, purchaser of similar products from competitive orcomplementary brands); increase presence or dominance share atparticular locations; reactivate “Y” number of lapsed userrelationships; acquire “N” number of new user relationships in aparticular geographic region; use “X” amount of budget in a certainnumber of days; drive users to activate a communication content oncertain days of the week, and the like. Project goals may also be acombination of any one or more of the above. Any features or may beutilized in forming a project goal to optimize the contents and rulesfor delivery of such contents.

In some embodiments, the dynamic segmentation platform 410 may also beconfigured to dynamically adjust contents and/or rules based on theperformance of a project to better achieve the goals of the project. Inanother embodiment, the dynamic segmentation platform may be configuredto dynamically adjust contents based on one or more algorithms to meetthe goals of the project or improve project performance. For instance,the dynamic segmentation platform may dynamically or algorithmicallyadjust what contents or content amounts are provided to what users,based on real-time or near real-time user activity data (e.g.,activation data), or user activity data collected during a certainpre-determined time interval. The dynamic segmentation platform may keeptrack of various information sources and historical data, to achieveoptimal project performance. Information sources may include, but notlimited to, past project performance, other activity data, currentinformation such as the day of week, weather, and other real-time data,activation rates on current contents at various content amounts, or userinformation on users activating contents. The specific process ofaggregating data and presenting a user with a specific, dynamicallysegmented content is further described in FIG. 5 of this disclosure.

Dynamic Segmentation Process

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram 500 for generating and providingdynamically segmented digital content. One or more algorithms may beapplied by a dynamic segmentation platform (e.g., the dynamicsegmentation platform 400) to provide users with specific communicationscontent on one or more of their devices. Relevant data may be collectedby the dynamic segmentation platform, based on applicable algorithms.Once the dynamic segmentation process is initialized (505), the dynamicsegmentation platform may be configured to check whether or not anyproject goals are configured or specified for the entity (operation510). If no project goals are configured, the dynamic segmentationplatform may check whether or not the rule data and the content data arepresent in their respective databases, and fetch the corresponding ruledata and content data (operation 515). If, however, the project goalsare configured for the particular entity, the dynamic segmentationplatform may be configured to generate or obtain a combination of rulesand contents (e.g., content type, content activation parameters, etc.),which is optimized based on the goal of the project (operation 520).Once the rules and contents are obtained or generated in previousoperations, user segment data may be obtained or received from entities(e.g., content generating and/or transmitting users), or other dataaggregators. Such data may have been pre-fetched or stored in one ormore databases associated with the dynamic segmentation platform. Insome embodiments, segment data may already be stored in the segmentdatabase 412, in which case the segment data may be fetched from thedatabase. Next, segment data stored in a segment database (e.g., segmentdatabase 412) may be matched with user data stored in a user database(e.g., user database 416) to determine the segments to which a userbelongs (operation 530). For example, a user identifier in the segmentdata is matched to a user identifier in the user data, and the user maybe mapped to an appropriate segment based on the segment data. Next,rule data may be retrieved or obtained according to one or more segmentsin which the user belongs to (operation 540). For example, if the useris categorized under “segment YY”, obtained rule data for a content mayspecify “only users in segment YY”. At operation 550, specific contentsmay be selected based on the application of one or more user appropriaterule data, which was identified at operation 540. For example, for auser in segment YY, rule data stating “only users in segment YY” may beapplied to obtain or retrieve all corresponding contents. Next, the useror a user device associated with the user may be presented with theselected contents in the previous operation (operation 560). In someembodiments, the contents are provided via a user interface on a mobileapplication of the user.

Example Applications of Dynamic Segmentation

In one instance, a dynamic segmentation process may be applied to userdata from a certain provider entity (which can also be any other entityproviding products or services or otherwise interacting with a pluralityof users). For example, Entity A—a major provider—may desire to providedifferent credits to different segments of its user base. For example,Entity A's user base may comprise users that frequently interact withEntity A, such as partners or customers or manufacturers or associates.Entity A can potentially divide its users into three clusters: (i)frequent (or “loyal”) users that have above a certain frequency ofinteractions (e.g., communications, activations, etc.) with Entity A;(ii) infrequent (or “lapsed”) users that have below a certain frequencyof interactions or users that have not interacted with Entity A for acertain duration of time; (iii) users who do not have preexistingrelationships with Entity A and thus have no prior interactions (“new”users). In order to achieve different objectives for each segment ofusers, Entity A may want to provide different types or amounts ofcredits to each user based on their segment, conditional to activationby the user: with respect to frequent users, Entity A may want topresent such users with content that will increase the pre-existinginteraction level of the user with Entity A (e.g., activity of the userwith Entity A, such as an average amount such users are spending atEntity A (e.g., $10 off $400 spent)); with respect to lapsed users,Entity A may want to present such users with content that will increasethe number of interactions such users are making with Entity A, and theymay be presented with a recurring content or a content that requiresmultiple interactions (e.g., multiple/cumulative trips/purchases) foractivation; and with respect to new users, Entity A may want to presentsuch users with contents that will get users to start new userrelationships with Entity A (e.g., $15 off $50 spent). Entity A mayflexibly deliver customized content to a user in each segment by havingits system and servers communicatively coupled to a dynamic segmentationplatform (e.g., dynamic segmentation platform 410). First, Entity A(e.g., Entity A 401) may pass its segment data to the dynamicsegmentation platform via, for example, an API call to the dynamicsegmentation platform (e.g., SFTP). Entity A's segment data caninclude 1) the segments (e.g., “loyal”, “lapsed”, and “new”) for eachuser (based on Entity A's URM data), and 2) the hashed email. The hashedemail may be used to identify and match the user to the user data storedon the dynamic segmentation platform. Next, the dynamic segmentationplatform ingests the segment data, and stores it in a database (e.g.,segment database 412). The dynamic segmentation platform may also beconfigured to store user data, which may be collected, for example, fromuser devices (e.g., smartphones or other mobile devices) with mobileapplications installed, or other sources of user data. The segment dataand the user data (which may be stored in a user database (e.g., userdatabase 416)) can be correlated to determine the set of segments eachuser belongs to. Next, content data may be inputted via anadministration user interface (e.g., administration user interface 430).The administration user interface may be utilized to specify details ofthe content data, dictating which contents from Entity A are availableto which users. For example, content data may include rule-basedinformation such as, for example, “$10 off $50 spent” or “$10 off $400spent”. Such content data may be stored in a content database (e.g.,content database 418). Content data may have already been stored on thedynamic segmentation platform, and the system may be configured to checkwhether relevant or applicable content data exists in the database. Thecontent data may also be generated automatically based on, for example,the entity's project goals. The content data may also be transmitteddirectly from an entity to the dynamic segmentation platform.

Rules may also be inputted via the administration user interface. Ruledata may specify contents available or applicable to each user segment.For example, a rule data may state “only users in segment ‘new’” or“only users in segment ‘loyal’”. Rule data may be stored in a ruledatabase (e.g., rule database 414). Rule data may have already beenstored on the dynamic segmentation platform, and the system may beconfigured to check whether relevant or applicable rule data exists inthe database. The dynamic segmentation platform may be configured todetermine which contents to present to each user via a dynamicsegmentation engine (e.g., dynamic segmentation engine 420). The dynamicsegmentation engine may be configured to evaluate rules (from the ruledatabase) against the segment data retrieved from the segment database.For example, the communication content “$10 off $50 spent” may beassociated with a rule data stating “only users in segment ‘new’”. Thus,only users who do not have preexisting user relationships with Entity Amay be presented with the “$10 off $50 spent” communication content.This communication content may be presented directly on the user'sdevice (e.g., smartphone) via an application.

In another instance, a dynamic segmentation process may be applied touser segment data from third-parties. In one embodiment, a third-partycollects user activity data originating from various applications (e.g.,mobile applications) on user devices (e.g., smartphones). For example,the third-party may maintain a database of user activity data for agiven user, and may assign users with no preexisting user relationshipswith respect to a transmitting user to a “new” segment, and assign userswith preexisting user relationships with respect to the transmittinguser to an “active” segment. Such segment data may be transmitted to adynamic segmentation platform (e.g., dynamic segmentation platform 410)by an API call. For example, the third-party may invoke the REST APIprovided by the dynamic segmentation platform. Segment data may includesegments (e.g., “new” or “active”) for each user stored on otherentities' systems or servers that the third-party has integrated with.The third-party may, for example, track a user's activities (e.g.,browsing history, purchases, registrations, etc.) made through anentity's (integrated with the third-party) mobile applications. Whenevera user performs an activity on an entity's mobile application, thethird-party may make an API call to transmit an updated user's segmentdata (e.g., from “new” to “active”) stored in the dynamic segmentationplatform. The dynamic segmentation platform may ingest the segment dataand store it in a segment database (e.g., segment database 412). Rulesmay be inputted via the administration user interface. Rule data mayspecify contents available or applicable to each user segment. Forexample, a rule data may state “only users in segment ‘new’” or “onlyusers in segment ‘active’”. Rule data may be stored in a rule database(e.g., rule database 414). A dynamic segmentation engine (e.g., dynamicsegmentation engine 420) may be configured to determine which contentsto present to each user by evaluating the rules (retrieved from the ruledatabase) against the segment data (retrieved from the segmentdatabase). For example, all contents associated with the “only users insegment ‘new’” rule may be presented to users in the “new” segment. Thesegment data in the segment database may be continuously updated basedon user activity data monitored through the third-party. The dynamicsegmentation platform may be configured to periodically (e.g., hourly,nightly, weekly) fetch the segment data from the third-party's database.

Beneficially, the dynamic segmentation system may reduce unnecessarynetwork traffic by filtering ‘broadcasted’ communications in thenetwork, such that only relevant content is delivered to relevant users.Such relevance, as described elsewhere herein, may be updated inreal-time based on user activity data. Such user activity data may becollected from both a transmitting user node (e.g., server) and areceiving user node (e.g., user device) to map the delivery of arelevant communication. Advantageously, a transmitting user may delivercontent to other relevant users and a receiving user may receive contentfrom other relevant users. The systems and methods provided herein mayincrease communication efficiency.

Computer Control Systems

The present disclosure provides computer control systems that areprogrammed to implement methods of the disclosure. FIG. 6 shows acomputer system 601 that is programmed or otherwise configured todynamically segment a plurality of users into a cluster of users andgenerate and provide dynamically segmented content to users. Thecomputer system 601 can regulate various aspects of FIGS. 1-5 of thepresent disclosure, such as, for example, dynamic segmentation platform410, dynamic segmentation engine 420, control module 425, administrationuser interface 430, flow chart illustrated in FIG. 5, and variousexample applications of the dynamic segmentation system describedherein. In some instances, the computer system 601 may correspond to anynode, such as a server, processor, or user device, described herein. Insome instances, the computer system 601 may correspond to a dynamicsegmentation system or a dynamic segmentation platform or a dynamicsegmentation engine as described herein.

The computer system 601 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also“processor” and “computer processor” herein) 605, which can be a singlecore or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors for parallelprocessing. The computer system 601 also includes memory or memorylocation 610 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, flashmemory), electronic storage unit 615 (e.g., hard disk), communicationinterface 620 (e.g., network adapter) for communicating with one or moreother systems, and peripheral devices 625, such as cache, other memory,data storage and/or electronic display adapters. The memory 610, storageunit 615, interface 620 and peripheral devices 625 are in communicationwith the CPU 605 through a communication bus (solid lines), such as amotherboard. The storage unit 615 can be a data storage unit (or datarepository) for storing data. The computer system 601 can be operativelycoupled to a computer network (“network”) 630 with the aid of thecommunication interface 620. For example, the dynamic segmentationplatform can be operatively coupled to the computer network 630 with theaid of the communication interface 620.

The network 630 can be the Internet, an internet and/or extranet, or anintranet and/or extranet that is in communication with the Internet. Thenetwork 630 in some cases is a telecommunication and/or data network.The network 630 can include one or more computer servers, which canenable distributed computing, such as cloud computing. The network 630,in some cases with the aid of the computer system 601, can implement apeer-to-peer network, which may enable devices coupled to the computersystem 601 to behave as a client or a server. For example, behaving as aserver system, the computer system 601 may represent the dynamicsegmentation platform (e.g., dynamic segmentation platform 410). Thecommunication interface 620 may provide a wired or wireless connectionwith one or more user devices (e.g., the user device 440), wherein theone more user devices may be a mobile device.

The CPU 605 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions,which can be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may bestored in a memory location, such as the memory 610. The instructionscan be directed to the CPU 605, which can subsequently program orotherwise configure the CPU 605 to implement methods of the presentdisclosure. Examples of operations performed by the CPU 605 can includefetch, decode, execute, and writeback. The CPU 605 can be part of acircuit, such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components ofthe system 601 can be included in the circuit. In some cases, thecircuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Forexample, the CPU 605 can be a part of the dynamic segmentation platform410 and the CPU 605 can be configured to implement the method describedin the flow chart of FIG. 5 or other methods described herein.

The storage unit 615 can store files, such as drivers, libraries andsaved programs. The storage unit 615 can store user data, e.g., userpreferences and user programs, or any other data or informationdescribed herein. The storage unit 615 can represent one or morecomponents of the dynamic segmentation platform. For example, thestorage unit 615 can represent the segment database, the user database,the rule database, or the content database. Files or information storedin the storage unit 615 can include user data, content data, rule data,campaign related data, redemption related data, and other data relatedto the dynamic segmentation platform 410 and its operations. Thecomputer system 601 in some cases can include one or more additionaldata storage units that are external to the computer system 601, such aslocated on a remote server that is in communication with the computersystem 601 through an intranet or the Internet.

The computer system 601 can communicate with one or more remote computersystems through the network 630. For instance, the computer system 601can communicate with a remote computer system of a user (e.g., mobiledevice, smartphone, tablet). Examples of remote computer systems includepersonal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PC's (e.g.,Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g.,Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®), or personal digitalassistants. The user can access the computer system 601 via the network630. For example, one or more user devices (e.g., user device 440) canaccess the dynamic segmentation platform 410 via the network 630. Theuser devices can receive contents (e.g., communications content) andcontent data from the dynamic segmentation platform via the network 630.

Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g.,computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storagelocation of the computer system 601, such as, for example, on the memory610 or electronic storage unit 615. The machine executable or machinereadable code can be provided in the form of software. During use, thecode can be executed by the processor 605. In some cases, the code canbe retrieved from the storage unit 615 and stored on the memory 610 forready access by the processor 605. In some situations, the electronicstorage unit 615 can be precluded, and machine-executable instructionsare stored on memory 610.

The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machinehaving a processer adapted to execute the code, or can be compiledduring runtime. The code can be supplied in a programming language thatcan be selected to enable the code to execute in a pre-compiled oras-compiled fashion.

Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein, such as the computersystem 601, can be embodied in programming. Various aspects of thetechnology may be thought of as “products” or “articles of manufacture”typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code and/orassociated data that is carried on or embodied in a type of machinereadable medium. Machine-executable code can be stored on an electronicstorage unit, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random-accessmemory, flash memory) or a hard disk. “Storage” type media can includeany or all of the tangible memory of the computers, processors or thelike, or associated modules thereof, such as various semiconductormemories, tape drives, disk drives and the like, which may providenon-transitory storage at any time for the software programming. All orportions of the software may at times be communicated through theInternet or various other telecommunication networks. Suchcommunications, for example, may enable loading of the software from onecomputer or processor into another, for example, from a managementserver or host computer into the computer platform of an applicationserver. Thus, another type of media that may bear the software elementsincludes optical, electrical and electromagnetic waves, such as usedacross physical interfaces between local devices, through wired andoptical landline networks and over various air-links. The physicalelements that carry such waves, such as wired or wireless links, opticallinks or the like, also may be considered as media bearing the software.As used herein, unless restricted to non-transitory, tangible “storage”media, terms such as computer or machine “readable medium” refer to anymedium that participates in providing instructions to a processor forexecution.

Hence, a machine readable medium, such as computer-executable code, maytake many forms, including but not limited to, a tangible storagemedium, a carrier wave medium or physical transmission medium.Non-volatile storage media include, for example, optical or magneticdisks, such as any of the storage devices in any computer(s) or thelike, such as may be used to implement the databases, etc. shown in thedrawings. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as mainmemory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media includecoaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise a bus within a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission mediamay take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic orlight waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) andinfrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readablemedia therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk,hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD orDVD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any otherphysical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM andEPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wavetransporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer may readprogramming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readablemedia may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions to a processor for execution.

The computer system 601 can represent the dynamic segmentation platfrom410 and include or be in communication with an electronic display 635that comprises a user interface (UI) 640 for providing, for example,segment data, user data, content data, rule data, project related data,or any other data related to contents and project performance. Inanother embodiment, the computer system 601 can represent one or moreuser devices (e.g., user device 440) that comprise a user interface 640for providing, for example, segmented contents to the mobile applicationusers. Examples of UI's include, without limitation, a graphical userinterface (GUI) and web-based user interface.

Methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented by wayof one or more algorithms. An algorithm can be implemented by way ofsoftware upon execution by the central processing unit 605. Thealgorithm can, for example, optimize contents and rules to achieve oneor more project goals, update contents and rules based on real-timetracking of content activation (e.g., redemption) and user activitydata, implement the process illustrated in FIG. 5, and other methodsdescribed herein.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intendedthat the invention be limited by the specific examples provided withinthe specification. While the invention has been described with referenceto the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrationsof the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limitingsense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur tothose skilled in the art without departing from the invention.Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the inventionare not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relativeproportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditionsand variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to theembodiments of the invention described herein may be employed inpracticing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that theinvention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications,variations or equivalents. It is intended that the following claimsdefine the scope of the invention and that methods and structures withinthe scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for delivering content to a cluster ofreceiving nodes in a computer network, comprising: (a) segmenting, byone or more processors, a plurality of receiving nodes in the computernetwork into a first plurality of clusters of nodes based at least inpart on a first set of user data that (i) is obtained from atransmitting node associated with a transmitting user and (ii) comprisesuser data of a plurality of users with respect to the transmitting user;(b) mapping and delivering, by one or more network adaptors, over thecomputer network, a communication content received from the transmittingnode to one or more clusters of the first plurality of clusters of nodesbased on rule data associated with the communication content; (c)obtaining, by the one or more processors, a second set of user data fromone or both of nodes of the one or more clusters and the transmittingnode, wherein the second set of user data comprises user activity dataof users, with respect to the communication content, associated with thenodes of the one or more clusters; and (d) segmenting, by the one ormore processors, the plurality of receiving nodes in the computernetwork into a second plurality of clusters of nodes based at least inpart on the first set of user data and the second set of user data. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of clusters of nodesare dynamically segmented in real-time upon receipt of the second set ofuser data.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a first receiving node ofthe plurality of receiving nodes is segmented into at least twodifferent clusters of nodes in the first plurality of clusters of nodes.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user data in the first set of userdata comprises one or more of a user identifier, user contactinformation, geographic distance from the transmitting user, userrelationship duration with the transmitting user, and frequency of userinteraction with the transmitting user.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the rule data further comprises geographic regions ofeligibility, age restrictions, or both for the communication content. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein a given receiving node is grouped to agiven cluster of nodes based at least in part on one or more of (i) ageographic location, (ii) user relationship duration with thetransmitting user, (iii) frequency of user interaction with thetransmitting user, (iv) demographic, (v) user behavioral information,and (vi) user psychographic information, of a given receiving userassociated with the given receiving node.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the communication content is activatable by the plurality ofreceiving nodes.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising tracking,by the one or more processors, an activation of the communicationcontent by the plurality of receiving nodes and storing the activationactivity in the first set of user data, the second set of user data, orboth.
 9. A computer system for delivering content to a given cluster ofreceiving nodes in a computer network, comprising: a network adaptor incommunication with the computer network, wherein the network adaptor isin communication with a plurality of nodes including a transmitting nodeand a plurality of receiving nodes; one or more databases comprising afirst set of user data, a second set of user data, and a communicationcontent associated with rule data, wherein the first set of user data(i) is obtained from a transmitting node associated with a transmittinguser and (ii) comprises user data of a plurality of users with respectto the transmitting user, wherein the second set of user data comprisesuser activity data of users, with respect to the communication content;and one or more processors, individually or collectively, configured to:segment the plurality of receiving nodes in the computer network into afirst plurality of clusters of nodes based at least in part on the firstset of user data; use the network adaptor to map and deliver thecommunication content, over the computer network, to one or moreclusters of the first plurality of clusters of nodes based on the ruledata associated with the communication content; obtain the second set ofuser data from one or both of nodes of the one or more clusters and thetransmitting node, wherein the nodes are associated with the users ofthe one or more clusters; and segment the plurality of receiving nodesin the computer network into a second plurality of clusters of nodesbased at least in part on the first set of user data and the second setof user data.
 10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the one ormore processors are individually or collectively configured todynamically segment the plurality of receiving nodes into the secondplurality of clusters of nodes in real-time upon receipt of the secondset of user data.
 11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the one ormore processors are individually or collectively configured to segment afirst receiving node of the plurality of receiving nodes into at leasttwo different clusters of nodes in the first plurality of clusters ofnodes.
 12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the user data in thefirst set of user data comprises one or more of a user identifier, usercontact information, geographic distance from the transmitting user,user relationship duration with the transmitting user, and frequency ofuser interaction with the transmitting user.
 13. The computer system ofclaim 9, wherein the rule data further comprises geographic regions ofeligibility, age restrictions, or both for the communication content.14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processorsare individually or collectively configured to assign a given receivingnode to a given cluster of nodes based at least in part on one or moreof (i) a geographic location, (ii) user relationship duration with thetransmitting user, (iii) frequency of user interaction with thetransmitting user, (iv) demographic, (v) user behavioral information,and (vi) user psychographic information, of a given receiving userassociated with the given receiving node.
 15. The computer system ofclaim 9, wherein the communication content is activatable by theplurality of receiving nodes.
 16. The computer system of claim 15,wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectivelyconfigured to track an activation of the communication content by theplurality of receiving nodes and storing the activation activity in thefirst set of user data, the second set of user data, or both in the oneor more databases.